This year’s Wisconsin’s Ironman had 2,200 competitors in its field. The event is one of the most grueling in the world - 2.4 miles of swimming, followed by 112 miles of cycling, then a 26.2 mile run.Professor Thomas Brunoldfinished in 10th place with a time of 9:14:34, approximately 9 minutes faster then he predicted. Thomas won first in his age group and was the #1 placed amateur. Thomas has also placed 5th, 6th & 8th place in previous years’ Wisconsin Ironman competitions. Congratulations Thomas!!

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The October 2007 Issue is Now Available Online

This issue celebrates National Chemistry Week, October 21- 27, 2007, and its theme “The Many Faces of Chemistry.” In this issue you will find articles about the people who practice chemistry and many other activities for the classroom and laboratory including:

Editorial: The Many Faces of (General) Chemistry;

Especially for High School Teachers: The Many Faces of Chemistry;

JCE Classroom Activity: Testing for Iodide in Table Salt;

JCE Featured Molecules: Molecular Models of Compounds in Maple Syrup.

Please note these contributions from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in this issue:

An interview with Jim Maynard is among 13 profiles of careers in chemistry featured in this issue, and Sara C. Kerr, UW-Madison Environmental Chemistry and Technology Program, along with Kenneth A. Walz, Department of Chemistry, Madison Area Technical College offer "Holes" in Student Understanding: Addressing Prevalent Misconceptions Regarding Atmospheric Environmental Chemistry.

Department meetings are open to all students, staff, and faculty, and we encourage everyone to join us.

October 9th, 2007

November 20th, 2007

December 11th, 2007

February 12th, 2008

March 11th, 2008

April 15th, 2008

May 13th, 2008

Finance Committee Meetings - Tuesdays - 1:30 PM - Room 1130

TBA

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For entering graduate students interested in physical chemistry, there will be a series of short talks by faculty members describing their research interests. These will be held at 5:45 p.m. on Thursday during the first weeks of the semester. There will be one half-hour talk followed by an informal supper and then two more talks.

Schedule for Introductory Research Talks:

5:45

6:45

7:15

September 20th

Jim Skinner

Arun Yethiraj

Martin Zanni

September 27th

Gil Nathanson

Nita Sahai

John Wright

October 4th

Ned Sibert

Qiang Cui

Bob McMahon

October 11th

Fleming Crim

Tom Record

Song Jin

October 18th

Silvia Cavagnero

Mark Ediger

Lian Yu

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Analytical, Inorganic, Materials Faculty Research Talks – Fall 2007

Room 8335 Chemistry

Monday, Sept. 10

Monday, Sept. 17

Monday, Sept. 24

Monday, Oct. 1

Monday, Oct. 8

5:45

Prof Frank Keutsch

Prof Padma Gopalan

Prof Mark Ediger

Prof Nita Sahai

Prof John Moore

6:10

Prof Bob Hamers

Prof Lingjun Li

Prof Thomas Brunold

Prof Jim Weisshaar

Prof Judith Burstyn

6:35

Pizza/Refreshments

Pizza/Refreshments

Pizza/Refreshments

Pizza/Refreshments

Pizza/Refreshments

7:00

Prof Josh Coon

Prof Shannon Stahl

Prof Song Jin

Prof Clark Landis

Prof Thomas Kuech

7:25

Prof Mahesh Mahanthappa

Prof David Schwartz

Prof John Berry

Prof John Wright

Prof Lloyd Smith

Note to students: One of the best things you can do as a new graduate student is to learn about what’s going on in various faculty members’ labs. The analytical, inorganic and materials faculty will be giving a series of short talks on their research. These will be held in Room 8335 beginning at 5:45 p.m. on Mondays during the first weeks of the semester. There will be four 20-minute talks and an informal supper.

This is a great chance to learn about on-going and future research directions, both inside and outside of your immediate area, and to meet faculty on an informal basis. Even if you don’t plan to work for a particular professor, it is always good to know what is happening.

We hope that you will take this opportunity to learn about what’s going on in the department. Analytical and Materials students will be required to meet with at least four different professors at some point following these talks, with the goal of joining a research group after November 1st, but no later than November 15, 2007. A form for tracking these appointments will be placed in your mailboxes this week. Inorganic students must meet with a minimum of four professors – at least two during September. If you have questions, please contact your division coordinators.

Exciting news from the Instrument Center! The Chemistry Department is upgrading its X-ray crystallography laboratory: one of the existing instruments is being replaced with a top of the line single-crystal diffractometer. The outgoing 4-circle Nicolet diffractometer was purchased in 1985 and upgraded with an area detector in 1995. After 22 years of good service the old technology device gives way to a brand new Bruker SMART ApexII area detector diffractometer with an Oxford Cryosystems low temperature attachment. The new instrument has the highest sensitivity to X-ray photons available in small molecule crystallography, higher brilliance of the X-ray beam, and Cu Kα radiation that will allow absolute configuration determination in organic molecules. The low temperature apparatus will reliably maintain temperature in the range between 90-300 K. The instrument is expected to arrive before the 1st of October and become operational shortly thereafter.

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EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES

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The University of Victoria.The Department of Chemistry is seeking a Senior Scientific Assistant to manage the Department’s instrument and computer services, and to provide in-house expertise in scientific laser systems. This senior position is vital to all Chemistry teaching and research programs. The range of instrumentation in the Chemistry Department is extensive and highly complex, and involves users from all levels - from undergraduate students through to research supervisors. The successful candidate will therefore have

both excellent communication skills and excellent technical skills. The Senior Scientific Assistant will: supervise instrument shop personnel, including the review and development of policies and procedures related to instrument and computer support; and the subsequent reorganization of duties and re-evaluation of instrument shop positions as needed; perform laser system maintenance and trouble-shooting for several laser facilities in the Department; provide training on laser systems and related safety requirements; act as in-house consultant for relevant technical purchases and installations; manage instrument shop resources including charge backs, inventories of parts and software, etc.; other duties of similar scope and complexity. A Master’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience is preferred, and a technical qualification in the area of electronics is an asset. A detailed understanding of laser systems is essential. Familiarity with scientific instrumentation in general is also very important. The successful candidate must be knowledgeable about computer hardware, software, and networking. Experience as a team leader is desirable. To apply for this position, please visit: https://uhire.uvic.ca. For more information about UVic Chemistry see:http://www.chemistry.uvic.ca/.

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The School of Chemistry and Biochemistry of theGeorgia Institute of Technologyinvites applications for an immediate opening for an Academic Professional to serve as Undergraduate Laboratory Coordinator for Either: (i) organic and inorganic, or (ii) analytical and physical. A Ph.D. or M.S. in Chemistry with relevant interest and/or experience in Chemical Education is required. Further information about the School is available at: http://wvvw.chemistry.gatech.edu. Submit a cover letter, resume, statement of teaching interests and the names of three references to: Dr. William J. Baron, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0400, e-mail:bill.baron@chemistry.gateeh.edu. Review of applications will begin September 15, 2007 and continue until the position is filled.

Laboratory Coordinator Positions:

The Organic/Inorganic Coordinatoris responsible for "Synthesis Laboratory I" (CHEM 2380), "Organic Chemistry Laboratory" (CHEM 3371) and "Synthesis Laboratory II" (CHEM 3380). CHEM 2380 (Synthesis-I) is taken primarily by Chemistry, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biology majors and consists entirely of experiments in organic chemistry. CHEM 3380 is only taken by Chemistry majors and is a mixture of organic and inorganic syntheses. CHEM 3371 is taken by Biochemistry students and is a more traditional second semester of organic laboratory (with illustrations of bio-organic chemistry).

Responsibilities for these positions include: (i) lecture instruction in the laboratory courses, (i) preparation of course schedules, experimental procedures, grading guidelines; (ii) maintenance of grades, (iii) training and supervision of teaching assistants, (iv) management of inventory associated with the laboratories, (v) implementation of a safety program appropriate to the laboratory, (vi) routine maintenance of laboratory instrumentation and apparatus, troubleshooting equipment problems and authorizing needed repairs. (vii) development of new experiments and pedagogies for the laboratory component of the program. In addition, the positions requires participation in the undergraduate advising program. It is expected that the individual will initiate, or contribute to, preparation of grant applications in support of instructional/pedagogical activities, and take on additional lecturing responsibilities. These 12-month, non-tenure track, positions are in the Academic Professional track at Georgia Tech. The individuals will work closely with a team of Academic Professionals that works with the faculty on all aspects of the undergraduate programs in the School. The laboratory coordinators should develop a familiarity with the routine operation and troubleshooting of spectrometers and other equipment in the laboratories. The School has a staff NMR spectroscopist and electronics shop to assist in upkeep and repair of these instruments. The School endeavors to provide high-quality educational experiences to students from a variety of majors across the Institute. Georgia Tech's cohort of entering undergraduate students is among the most-highly qualified at a public institution (the average SAT of entering students is approximately 1340 and average high school GPA of 3.74/4.00). The organic/inorganic laboratory program serves approximately 420 students per year (fall, spring and summer semesters). For further information contact: Dr. William J. Baron, School of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Georgia Tech, bill.baron@chemistry.gatech.edu.

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FACULTY POSITIONS/TEMPORARY FACULTY/ACADEMIC POSITIONS

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Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve Universityinvites applications for up to two tenure track positions starting July 2008. Preferred candidates will have plans for research in (1) Energy and Materials and/or (2) Chemical Biology, as broadly defined, two areas that overlap current research thrusts within the Department and across campus. Rank commensurate with experience. Candidates must be committed to excellence in research and teaching at both undergraduate and graduate levels. A Ph.D. is required and postdoctoral research is preferred for candidates at the junior level. A letter of application and CV should be sent by November 1, 2007; in addition, junior candidates should submit a summary (up to 5 pages) of research plans and arrange to have three letters of reference sent to:Faculty Search Committee, Department of Chemistry, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH 44106-7078, or preferably by e-mail c/o Pat Eland pme2@case.edu.

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The Chemistry Department at Oregon Stateis currently searching for a talented individual in organic chemistry at the assistant, associate or full professor level. We are interested in interviewing qualified candidates at all levels. The advertisement is also posted on our departmental website athttp://www.chemistry.oregonstate.edu/organic_search_2007.html. The applicants are asked to submit their application electronically at the following address:https://jobs.oregonstate.edu/. For full consideration, all materials should be submitted by October 1, 2007. Oregon State University has historically maintained a strong presence in organic chemistry and our Department Chair, College of Science Dean and Office of Research Vice President are all committed to maintaining and expanding this area of research. Their support was critical in two recently awarded grants (from the National Science Foundation's Major Research Instrumentation Program and the private Murdock Charitable Trust) that will allow us to purchase shortly a new 700 MHz NMR with carbon-optimized cryoprobe to be used by the organic chemistry faculty. I should also point out that OSU has begun its first capital campaign with the targeted goal of raising $600 million in donations. Included in this capital campaign is a new $61M building to house a significant component of the chemistry faculty as well as the Linus Pauling Institute. Recently, the University has secured the majority of the funds for this new building through a combination of private donations and state support. A second building is intended to be built shortly after the completion of this first phase. Finally, a new drug discovery initiative entitled Oregon Translational Research and Drug Development Institute (OTRADI) has been recently funded by the State of Oregon to provide incentives for interdisciplinary research directed toward the development of new drugs for the treatment of infectious diseases.

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Assistant Professor position is open at the University of Rhode Islandfor an analytical chemist. Job duties include teaching courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; advising students at the undergraduate and graduate level; conducting research in the area of analytical chemistry; and participating in department and university committee assignments. Requirements are: Ph.D. in chemistry or closely-related field required by time of appointment, post-doctoral or industrial experience preferred; demonstrated commitment to the effective teaching of analytical chemistry at both the undergraduate and graduate levels required; must demonstrate the likelihood to develop an externally-funded research program. The research area is open to any area of analytical chemistry, but preference will be given to applicants who demonstrate the ability to work with either the forensic science partnership or the sensors and surface technology partnership at URI. For more information on the partnerships, seehttp://www.chm.uri.edu. To apply: Submit (no emails or faxes, please) a vita, a description of research plans, required startup costs, a statement of teaching philosophy, and have three (3) letters of recommendation sent postmarked by 10-15-07 to: William B. Euler, Search Chair Requisition # 11843, University of Rhode Island PO Box G, Kingston, RI 02881.